Designing Gestural Interfaces

PLACE HANDS INSIDE TO ACTIVATE

WHAT

Putting hands inside or beneath (nearly inside) an object triggers an action.

USE WHEN

Use Place Hands Inside to Activate when you want something to affect the hands or you want to turn on controls that would be manipulated by the hands.

WHY

Hands are used in so many different ways, it was inevitable that some patterns would focus on them. This pattern is still emerging, however, and is mostly seen today in bathrooms for washing and drying hands.

HOW

Infrared sensors seem to be the most typically used to execute this pattern.

EXAMPLES

Figure 4-13. The Tripoint Gooseneck Touchless Electronic Faucet releases water when hands are placed inside the sink. Courtesy Kohler.

Figure 4-14. The unfortunately named Dyson AirBlade (it doesn't sound like something I'd want to stick my hands into) dries wet hands that are placed into and slowly drawn out of the device. Courtesy Dyson.

Figure 4-15. The Sensor Soap Pump uses an infrared sensor to detect when hands are placed beneath its spout. Courtesy simplehuman.